Reasons Music is So Good for You (Backed by Science)

You like music, right? Most people, even if they aren’t passionate music fans enjoy listening to a few jams now and again. Well, it turns out that not only is music very pleasing to the ears, but it is actually really good for us too.

Here are a handful of very good reasons to kick out the jams and turn the stereo up now, today, tomorrow and well whenever you get a chance really…

Music Can Soothe Pain

Suffering from aches and pains? According to the Frontiers in Psychology journal, one of the best things you can do to ease your pain a little is top play your favorite songs for at least 10 minutes. When fibromyalgia patients did this, they experienced less pain than when listening to pink noise, and as an added bonus, their mobility improved too. Pretty amazing right?

Music Can Ease Depression

Research has also shown that learning to play an instrument can help to ease the symptoms of depression, probably because it engages the mind and body, creating a state of flow and giving those with depression something to feel good about. So, if you’ve ever wanted to try music classes and you’re feeling a bit blue, you have the perfect excuse. Guitar, drums, violin, what will you play?

Music Can Help You Focus

A study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that listening to baroque music, such as Bach and Vivaldi when studying or preparing for an important presentation, created changes in the brain which helped individuals to improve their attention span, recorded and remember information and ultimately do better. Time to download some cool classical music?

Music Can Improve Your Workouts

Being physically fit is an important part of your wellbeing, so you might want to start taking your mp3 player or streaming your favorite jams on Spotify when you hit the gym. Why? Because one study found that people who exercised while listening to music enjoyed their workouts more and pushed themselves harder, burning more calories in the process.

Music Can Make You Happier

It’s not just playing an instrument that can help you to beat the blues – listening to certain classical pieces, according to the Nature Neuroscience Journal, can release dopamine, giving you a happy boost whenever you need it. Tracks that have this effect include Clair de Lune by Debussy and First Breath After a Coman by Alexander Keats. Once again, classical music saves the day!

Music Can Keep You Calm

Listening to mellow chill-out music when you’re in stressful situations such as a busy office or when you’re stuck in traffic, can calm you down and actually boost your performance according to research. Stressed out? Time to listen to Calm Radio.

Music Can Bring Back Memories

People suffering from dementia and Alzheimers can often benefit from being played the music they loved when they were younger. It can bring them back to the present, soothe, them and enable them to remember things more clearly, at least for a while.